Friday, December 13, 2013

Happy tangling.......... and thank you for visiting my pages during the past 12 months. I appreciate your comments and the creative inspirations from all of you.I am truly grateful. Tricia~.... and remembering Mom

Friday, November 29, 2013

Gobble. I am thankful to be back to the tangling arena on this beautiful sun-shiny day. Happy Thanksgiving week to you. And Happy Hanukkah. No school today, so the children are happy! Black Friday has arrived on a blustery New England wind, and Christmas preparations have officially begun. Hallelujah!This week's challenge from the Diva is a duo-tangle: Well & PeaNuckle. The tangle Well is so fun, with simple line-shifting, curving variations. Lots of fun to play with. PeaNuckle, on the other hand, has me baffled. But it's okay to be baffled while tangling!! The element of surprise looms beyond the completion of each stroke, and it makes the process of tangling more artistically exciting. (I really. had. to. pay. attention. to. each. line. direction.) Ommmmmmmmm ~

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

This tangle design, Beamz, (created by Traci F.) was a lot of fun, once I got the hang of it. Because there are a variety of ways to draw the design, it needs repitition (IMHO) to understand the "concept". (Workin' on it, Gibbs!)Be sure to check out all the other fantasticly creative Beamz Challenge art on the Diva's website.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

This week's mandala template is lovely. Again. Another winner, Erin!I jumped out of the box by not obsessing about completely filling an area with a tangle, allowing negative space to circle around the pen strokes and using the opportunity to add simple shading. Remember the lesson on how to make a "bubble" in the middle of a tangle? (or some refer to it as a "water droplet" or "dew drop").... Well, the outer orbs and circles on this template is where I made an attempt at that technique. ▼ Hope someone (Enthusiastic Artist *hint hint*) will do an indepth tutorial on the bubble/dew drop technique, and which tangles enhance the bubble quality vs. tangles to avoid. I, obviously, don't get it!! lol

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

"Pop Goes the Weasel"! That's the children's song that popped into my head when I saw Erin's mandala template for this week! Why? LOL.... it's a mystery to me. I've been smiling and humming that song for 3 days!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

The theme for this Zendala Dare is "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", which = black and white in my land of Zendala. I love the look of white ink on black paper. I have experimented with many brands of white ink and white gel pens, but I don't like the way the pen lays down the white ink and the thickness of the white lines. My "perfect white pen" would be as perfect as the Sakura Micron Black Pigment Pens (#01) (that I love to use), preferably a fine nib, #01 or #02. Even though I struggled with the white ink on this tile, I really did enjoy the mandala template. And, yes, I was able to enjoy the moment while tangling the black on white. Another great challenge, Erin.
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Zendala Dare 68

If you have had a good experience with a pen that delivers an opaque line of fine/narrow white ink, (other than a dip-pen), I'd love to hear from you.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

I used to really, really like tangling within 'pre-strung' strings..... but somewhere along my Zentangle Journey, it has become a not-so-favorite method-of-choice. Or maybe it just depends on the mood-of-the-day. After all, tangling those weekly mandala designs (Zendala Dare) is pretty exciting. At least it has peaked my interest for now. Sometimes I feel claustrophobic and don't want to be confined to a small area designated by a string. I just want be loosy-goosy and pop out-of-the-box with curving, lingering, random lines exuding from the tip of my pen. The pen does all the work.This week, the Diva's challenge is to work with a predetermined string. Oy. This is going to be a challenge. "What can I possibly do with this?", I thought. So, I moaned and groaned (for a brief nano-second!) - until I remembered a very cool, brandy-new tangle that I found and fell in love with this week (on line). I have been so anxious to test-drive it, and this predetermined string challenge is the perfect time to give it a go. Once again, the Universe has come to my rescue!!Because I don't remember the name of this cool new tangle, I was unable to locate it! So, I put my pen into 1st gear and proceeded from memory.... (always a risky venture!) I'm happy with how that tangle looks, but the tile as a whole..........eh.If you should happen to know/find the name of the tangle in the two- teardrop areas on the tile below, please enlighten me! (Many thanks, in advance.)

Thursday, July 25, 2013

The Diva has offered the Two Pencil String challenge in the past... I believe it was Weekly Challenge #2 in March, 2011! (Yes, Laura, we sure have come a long way since then.) I think I was not yet familiar with Laura's weekly challenges, so I missed it. Glad to be part of the Two Pencil String challenge this time.
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Wednesday, July 17, 2013

I'm lovin' doing these Zendalas! This is my favorite template, so far.

When I participate in a Z Dare or Diva challenge, I always complete mine before scrolling through the other amazing tiles and ZIAs that are posted on Mister Linky's list. So, I was surprised when I viewed Mariet's tile. (She is one of my very-most-favorite tangle artists!) My goodness, our tiles are similar - yet so different?? Honestly. It must be that great minds DO think alike! lol

Monday, July 8, 2013

When I saw Erin's template for Zendala Dare #64, I immediately visualized the tangles that I could pen in each space. Finally made-up-my-mind to tangle and post a zendala to Erin Olson's weekly 'dare' challenge. I was excited to get started...so I printed out the template and enjoyed my Zentangle experience.

Then I read Erin's instructions (after I was finished). *big sigh* Seems that, for the 1st Zendala Dare of each month, Erin adds an extra little challenge into the mix. I missed that part! So, here's my plain ol' zendala for Dare #64.....

Friday, July 5, 2013

This UMT challenge is designed by OwlLovingApril. The name of the tangle is Birdie Feet, see the step-out here. The design looks just like the little footprints that follow the birds around on the beach as they scour the sand for a bite to eat. Have you heard Buttercup's story..... the Duck who recently received a prosthetic leg and foot at the Feathered Angels Sanctuary? Here is a short video - Buttercup trying out his new leg and foot for the first time! Amazing.So, staying within the theme of Birdie Feet, here's my Zen interpretation.......

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Words of the Diva: "This week's challenge is an open challenge - i only ask that you
keep Calgary in your hearts this week, and any part of the Earth where people
are dealing with incredible struggles and tragedy." Please see Laura's complete web-post here.

Whilst the stark truth is that

hardship and difficulties are inevitable and inescapable,

the definitive question may be whether

we yield under their weight

or

use them as an opportunity to

better ourselves.

Daisaku Ikeda~

I am taking this opportunity to post a few zendalas from Erin Olson's Zendala Dare. I have not participated in her challenge 'cuz I have been uncomfortable tangling in a zendala format. Don't know why. Not enough time? Maybe. But I recently bit the bullet and tangled my 1st zendala, using one of Erin's templates...... here. And it was kinda fun! So, this week, my mission and personal challenge was to work with my zendalaphobia and try to shorten the depth of my learning curve.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Grids are one of my favorite tangle-strings. While they may seem ridged and boring, they are really quite versatile and interesting when they succumb to a bit of alteration. So, in response to this Zentangle Newsletter, the Diva's challenge is all about grids.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

The tangle that is being highlighted in this week's challenge is called 'Birds on a Wire', created by Mary Kissel, CZT.I must have been 'on holiday' when this tangle pattern was released because it looks new to me. And, sure enough, if you check out Mary's blog and follow her step-out, the pattern does resemble birds sitting on a wire. (Remember the movie by that name (1990) with Goldie Hawn and Mel Gibson?)I wasn't quite sure how to artistically use Mary's tangle in a design, and this was, indeed, a challenge for me. So, rather than having it be the main entree/center of attention, I'm using it as a side dish.Have you been following Erin and her weekly Zendala Dare? I have been too chicken to participate. Why? Mandala designs - or Zendalas, for tangling purposes, intimidate me. Why? Don't know. This is my first Zendala attempt. (template from Erin's Zendala Dare #55.)

Friday, May 31, 2013

This week we are exploring Bales and it's many tangelations. I love Bales. It's so forgiving and it multi-tasks beautifully. All that is needed is the basic stroke pattern and a creative imagination. (I'm still working on that creative imagination!)

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ZIA - Sakura Micron Black #01/0.25mm; chalk pastels

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On the Diva's blog post are photos of her beautiful family..... and a message written on the sidewalk in chalk:

Saturday, May 25, 2013

For this week's challenge, like Laura, I struggled at the beginning. Just having that extra little bit of information in my head (ie: ...."try to use equal parts of black and white space/tangles") distracted my thought process... until I de-constructed the instructions! Duh!!! Just use a black pen on white tile. That's all. End of trauma.

And, as Laura also noted, it's difficult to find a white opaque pen that is truly 'opaque' and user friendly... delivers a smooth line without skipping; covers black/dark paper in one stroke; dries to a crisp white color; etc. So, no white pen for me.

And because of my Type A procastination, I'm late in posting. But I'm happy.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Last week, Zentangle® Central released a new official tangle called "Schway". See it here on the Zentangle Newsletter.When I viewed this new tangle pattern in the Newsletter, I was immediately disinterested because the resulting design did not appeal to me. I had no desire to study the 'step-out' and felt that it would never have a place in my Zentangle practice. It just didn't taste good.Then came Monday, and the Diva had spoken!! This week's challenge is to use "Schway" in a Zentangle or ZIA. Oy vey.So, back to the Zentangle Newsletter to study the Schway step-out. I practiced it a few times. Still did not appeal to me. Not my style. Now it was time to draw my string on a tile. I tangled other patterns and played, joyfully, with Mooka and my other tangle-friends. Oh, yes, I was avoiding the inevitable.Then along came Schway. After the top area of the design was all Schwayed, I started adding a few more strokes.... one at a time....here and there.... until: OMG, it doesn't look like Schway anymore!!! Cool.All I am saying is Give "Schway" a chance.*
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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

We are going "vintage" for this week's challenge. The Diva says: "I'm revisiting another past challenge - using a blind string."This challenge was VERY enjoyable. It was nice to be reminded of the 'feel good' effects of the Zentangle process. A relaxing sense of purpose. Nice.

Monday, April 1, 2013

The Diva's challenge to us is a UMT called "Tuxedo". I don't think I have ever seen this pattern... or maybe, if I have seen it, I don't recognize it. The tangle pattern was created by a wonderfully talented artist, LeeAnn (aka ledenzer). I just love love love her style of tangling. You can find step-out instructions for Tuxedo HERE.My ZIA for this challenge:

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Our challenge, should we decide to accept it, is to use ONLY MOOKA and its tangelations and explore its capabilities. Sounds easy enough, huh? Mooka is a lovely, curvy, flowing design...... the way Maria does it!!! And I love watching her demonstrate this delicious tangle . For me, Mooka was a challenge - but I still managed to thoroughly relax and enjoy the process. And, of course, isn't that the basic concept of Zentangle? Enjoying the process........
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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The catalyst for this week's challenge comes from a post on the Zentangle blog . A photo, taken in Italy, led to the deconstruction of the design, which was then translated (into the language of Zentangle), and a step-out by Maria. Now all this tangle needs is a name!

Friday, March 8, 2013

In this "Use My Tangle" Challenge, the tangle we are challenged to draw is called "Whyz", and was created by Jane MacKugler, CZT. Instructions are here on Jane's blog.Concentration is a must when drawing "Whyz". If you aren't paying attention to what the pen is doing, this tangle morphs into something unexpected! And I don't understand 'Y'!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

In this week's challenge, the Diva's theme is in celebration of Chinese New Year* - the Year of the Snake. As I started to draw a spiral-type string, my pencil curved itself into a Mooka-type pattern, so I went with it.

* February 10, 2013: As China's biggest traditional holiday, Chinese New Year is an annual celebration marking the start of the new year according to the chinese lunisolar calendar. Chinese New Year always falls in either January or February, and each chinese new year is represented by 1 of the 12 creatures of the Chinese Zodiac. Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival, and in pre-modern times it would signal to farmers in China that they must begin preparation for the sowing of their fields.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

This challenge reminds me of our most recent weather event - Blizzard: Nemo - which is just winding down in our little part of the world. As they forecast the weather, the meteorologists on The Weather Channel point to the numerous calculations and swirling colors on their weather maps; temperature, rain/snow line, wind direction, etc. Have you noticed how the **isobar graphics on the weather maps resemble the patterning of Dansk?
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Saturday, February 2, 2013

The TanglePatterns.com guru, Linda Farmer, regularly posts samples of "strings" that have been created by 'we, the people' and submitted to Linda's website. For this week's challenge, The Diva has chosen String #003 (from TanglePatterns.com). I wasn't feeling much like staying-in-the-lines this week, so I was expecting to feel very challenged by this week's assignment. But, instead, I made the string the star of the show, and not the tangles. And, as usual, the process of creating a Zentangle® was calming, meditative and enjoyable. It's amazing how the brain adapts to a positive attitude.Here's what I came up with for this challenge.....